Times have dramatically changed since I started blogging twelve years ago. Newer social media platforms like Instagram have fostered a vibrant and influential wine community. Surely, I'm not the only one that spends too much time scrolling through photos of beautiful vineyards and mouthwatering wines. In addition to my Instagram Live interview series, I frequently post wine reviews on Instagram and thought it would be great to start sharing reviews of the standout wines here on the blog.
Shannon, Robin, and Erin Lail
I recently tasted two superb wines from Lail Vineyards in Napa Valley - Blueprint Sauvignon Blanc 2018 ($40) and Blueprint Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 ($90). Winery founder, Robin Lail, can trace her family's winemaking history in Napa back to 1879 with the founding of the legendary Inglenook. Twenty-five years ago, Robin founded Lail Vineyards with her daughters, Erin and Shannon. Lail has embraced "carbon farming" techniques that minimize carbon dioxide production and maximize carbon sequestration without sacrificing wine quality. Robin is also the U.S. Representative to The Porto Protocol, whose mission is "to drive collaborative action by bringing together a network of change-makers and workable climate solutions for and within the wine world."
Lail Vineyards says that the name Blueprint celebrates "the pioneers and architects of innovation for putting the health of our planet ahead of quarterly reports and the bottom line." Lail donates ten percent of sales from Blueprint wines purchased on their website to organizations fighting climate change. Lail's winemaker is the wildly talented and acclaimed Philippe Melka.
